Louisiana legislaturehttp://wrkf.org
en“Statutory Dedications” Explainedhttp://wrkf.org/post/statutory-dedications-explained
<p>With so much current focus on the state budget, the term “statutory dedications” keeps coming up. What are they and why are they an issue? We turn to Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy for answers.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">“We have about 370 special accounts into which money automatically flows, because the Legislature has dedicated it,” Kennedy says, by way of introduction.</span></p><p>Thu, 19 Feb 2015 09:00:00 +0000Sue Lincoln38020 at http://wrkf.org“Statutory Dedications” ExplainedTUESDAY: Former State Senator Tony Guarisco; and Author Katy Simpson Smithhttp://wrkf.org/post/tuesday-former-state-senator-tony-guarisco-and-author-katy-simpson-smith
<p>Former Louisiana State Senator Anthony "Tony"&nbsp;Guarisco, Jr. is our lead off guest and he stays with us for the first two segments of today's show. Tony served as State Senator from 1976-1988 and while&nbsp;in office he successfully sponsored a bill permitting physicians in Louisiana to prescribe medical marijuana for glaucoma and chemotherapy patients, which ultimately did not come to fruition. He and Jim discuss this, as well as other bills Tony pushed for while in office. They also talk taxes, partisanship in Washington, Edwin Edwards, and much more.</p><p>Tulane Professor, Author and New Orleans resident Katy Simpson Smith is with us today to promote her debut novel <em>The Story of Land and Sea</em>​. The novel follows three generations of family through the years following the American Revolution and how they come to find redemption amidst slavery and war.&nbsp;She talks with Jim about what she went through in writing her novel, her feeling of responsibility to represent the wide range of experiences women have had historically, and much more. She'll be at the Columns Hotel in New Orleans, La. on Wednesday September 3rd, 2014 at 7:00pm.</p><p></p><p>Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:29:00 +0000Frank Barnett31236 at http://wrkf.orgTUESDAY: Political Commentator and Journalist Quinn Hillyer; Author and Philanthropist Adam Braunhttp://wrkf.org/post/tuesday-political-commentator-and-journalist-quinn-hillyer-author-and-philanthropist-adam-braun
<p>Journalist, political commentator and contributor to The Advocate Quinn Hillyer&nbsp;joins Jim for the first half of today's show. Quinn talks about running for political office in the past, President Obama's Affordable Care Act, and what it's like to be now writing for The Advocate.&nbsp;</p><p>Founder and CEO of Pencils of Promise, and recent author of the critically acclaimed book <em>The Promise of a Pencil: How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary&nbsp;Change</em>, Adam Braun talks with Jim about his book and the work his non-profit organization is doing to make sure every child has access to quality education. To learn more about Adam's organization, visit www.pencilsofpromise.org.</p><p></p><p>Tue, 20 May 2014 15:06:13 +0000Jim Engster26842 at http://wrkf.orgWould You Vote Against the Bible?http://wrkf.org/post/would-you-vote-against-bible
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>When legislators return from their four-day Easter recess this afternoon, the full House will take up a rather controversial bill—naming “the Holy Bible” as the official state book of Louisiana.</p><p>Mon, 21 Apr 2014 08:00:00 +0000Sue Lincoln25455 at http://wrkf.orgWould You Vote Against the Bible?'Crime Against Nature' Repeal Effort Advanceshttp://wrkf.org/post/crime-against-nature-repeal-effort-advances
<p>Not every bill a legislator files is to make new law. Sometimes a bill is needed to repeal an old law. Such was the case Tuesday in the House Criminal Justice committee.</p><p>“No matter what you might think about the language, it is unconstitutional,” said Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith, in reference to the state’s sodomy law, also known as “crime against nature”, and her bill to repeal it.</p><p>Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:00:00 +0000Sue Lincoln24978 at http://wrkf.org'Crime Against Nature' Repeal Effort AdvancesPistol Packing Politicians?http://wrkf.org/post/pistol-packing-politicians
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;</span>“This is for personal protection,” Senator Bret Allain said of his bill to allow legislators to carry their guns in the state capitol. The Senate and Governmental Affairs committee considered the Franklin lawmakers’ bill on Tuesday.</p><p>Wed, 09 Apr 2014 08:00:00 +0000Sue Lincoln24921 at http://wrkf.orgPistol Packing Politicians?Payday Lending: 3 Million Louisiana Loanshttp://wrkf.org/post/payday-lending-3-million-louisiana-loans
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>You live on a limited income, paycheck to paycheck. Now your next paycheck is in jeopardy, because your car won’t start. What to do?</p><p>There’s that payday lending store around the corner, so you go take out a loan and buy a new battery for your car. You give the lender a post-dated check for the amount of the loan, plus interest and fees. The lender cashes your check after you get paid. Done deal, right?</p><p>Not always, according to David Gray with the Louisiana Budget Project.</p><p>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 08:00:00 +0000Sue Lincoln24814 at http://wrkf.orgPayday Lending: 3 Million Louisiana LoansTort Reform Bill Advances to Househttp://wrkf.org/post/tort-reform-bill-advances-house
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>A bill that would change how civil lawsuits are handled in state courts is headed to the House floor. The tort reform bill removes the threshold for having a civil case heard by a jury, instead of only by a judge. Current state law allows a jury trial only if the amount involved exceeds $50,000.Wed, 02 Apr 2014 08:00:00 +0000Sue Lincoln24602 at http://wrkf.orgTort Reform Bill Advances to HouseIce Cream: Red, White, or Rosé?http://wrkf.org/post/ice-cream-red-white-or-ros
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Louisiana is known as a foodie paradise, but wine ice cream--one of the latest gourmet trends--can’t be sold here without a change in the current alcohol laws. Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter’s bill to allow sales of the new product was heard in the House Judiciary Committee Friday, and members were quick with the quips.Fri, 28 Mar 2014 08:00:00 +0000Sue Lincoln24392 at http://wrkf.orgIce Cream: Red, White, or Rosé?Parents Mobilizing Over Common Corehttp://wrkf.org/post/parents-mobilizing-over-common-core
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Whether you love it--like Vera Collins of Jefferson Parish, who says, “Louisiana’s Common Core State Standards is vital to making the dream a reality”—or hate it, like Ralph Roshto of Lacombe, who says, “Supporting Common Core is like a chicken supporting Colonel Sanders,”—Common Core is driving parents to the state capitol in droves.</p><p>But just what is this education issue that’s polarizing Louisiana moms and dads?Fri, 21 Mar 2014 08:00:00 +0000Sue Lincoln24056 at http://wrkf.orgParents Mobilizing Over Common Core